Nature Moncton Nature News: March 28

March 28, 2023

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Edited by Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com

Proofreading courtesy of Louise Nichols at nicholsl@eastlink.ca

** Louise Nichols was searching for any insect life in the sun on Monday afternoon that she could take some macro shots of. She found a Honey Bee that had ventured out of the hive and met its end in the snow.

She also found an Asian Muliticoloured Lady Beetle, many of which have been occupying their house this winter. This one was outside on a rock in a warm spot. (Editor’s note: this very common non-native Lady Beetle that prefers to overwinter in buildings can appear in a variety of colour forms to give it the name multicoloured. It can always be identified by the black ‘M’ on the white-bordered pronotum that does not vary. It is completely harmless unless you happen to be an aphid).
On another sunny rock close by, Louise found a group of Snow Fleas enjoying the warmth.
(Editor’s note: this photo has to be one of the clearest images one could expect to see in a photograph of these tiny creatures that can be expected to be seen this time of year leaping about in groups in granular snow, looking like dancing pepper. Despite their ’flea’ name, they are completely harmless to humans or animals feeding on detritus. They are usually black in colour, but some groups can be a colourful coral colour or even yellow. They are common all year, but we just don’t notice them on the ground as we can on the white snow background).

** John Inman had a new male Rusty Blackbird arrive on Monday. (Editor’s note: John’s photograph is of a male bird in adult breeding plumage).
John agrees with the comment on the Rusty Blackbird not associating with the other blackbirds as they will search out another feeding spot if possible. Still, when they overwinter, they will group with a few other blackbirds that overwinter, possibly for company or security.

**Becky Gillcash just joined Nature Moncton and shares a close-up video she caught of a Ring-necked Pheasant on their yard security camera a couple of weeks ago. He must have seen his reflection in the lens because he pecks the screen with his beak once, then scurries off. They enjoy seeing him daily, visiting their yard. Take a look at the action at the video link below: